21 Stunning Lavender Look-Alikes for Every Garden
Explore 21 captivating alternatives to lavender, each offering unique colors, scents, and textures for diverse garden landscapes.
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If lavenderâs elegant spikes and aromatic presence have captured your heart, youâre not alone. From soothing purple hues to delightful scents, lavender is a garden favorite around the world. But sometimes, you might crave more optionsâperhaps something more tolerant of your climate or a different floral twist while keeping that signature lavender vibe. Fortunately, nature offers an array of beautiful lavender look-alikes, each bringing its own charm to landscapes large and small.
This comprehensive guide introduces 21 dazzling plants that resemble lavender in appearance, growth habit, or scent. Whether you love lavenderâs shape, color, fragrance, or pollinator appeal, youâll find exciting alternatives for every garden style.
Why Seek Lavender Look-Alikes?
Lavender (Lavandula spp.) is adored for its compact size, silvery-green foliage, and vibrant purple flower spikes. It also attracts pollinators, repels pests, and thrives in drought conditions. However, true lavender can struggle outside its ideal Mediterranean-like environment. Exploring look-alikes opens the door to:
- Diverse flower colors and shapes.
- Varying fragrance profiles.
- Different growth habitsâupright, sprawling, low-growing.
- Tougher plants for challenging climates or poor soils.
- Extended blooming periods.
21 Gorgeous Lavender Look-Alikes
Below is a detailed look at 21 plants that share lavenderâs grace and allure, yet each offers something unique. From culinary herbs to bold perennials and native wildflowers, thereâs something here for every gardener.
1. Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
Anise hyssop features tall, spiky clusters of purple-blue flowers that resemble lavenderâs blooms. The foliage delivers a sweet licorice scent. Hardy and drought-tolerant, this North American native is a magnet for bees and butterflies.
- Sun: Full sun
- Height: 2â4 feet
- Zones: 4â9
2. English Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
This culinary herb forms neat mounds of tiny, fragrant leaves and produces small, lavender-hued flowers that evoke the spirit of lavender in miniature.
- Sun: Full sun
- Height: 0.5â1 foot
- Zones: 5â9
3. Mealycup Sage (Salvia farinacea)
With its tall spikes of blue flowers, mealycup sage is often mistaken for lavender. Its upright, clump-forming habit and silvery stems enhance the likeness, making it a stellar border plant.
- Sun: Full sun
- Height: 1.5â3 feet
- Zones: 8â10 (annual in cooler areas)
4. Lupine (Lupinus spp.)
Lupines display tall towers of pea-like blooms in shades from deep purple to white and pink, echoing lavenderâs spiky silhouette but with a denser flower cluster.
- Sun: Full sun
- Height: 1â4 feet
- Zones: 4â8
5. Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
While widely grown for its culinary leaves, basilâs upright flower spikes and occasional purple tinge make it a surprising look-alike in edible landscapes.
- Sun: Full sun
- Height: 1â2 feet
- Zones: Annual
6. Common Sage (Salvia officinalis)
With gray-green foliage and pretty blue-to-purple whorls of flowers, common sage gives off a similar texture and color to lavenderâand is equally aromatic.
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- Sun: Full sun
- Height: 1â3 feet
- Zones: 4â9
7. Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Catnipâs pale purple blooms and gray-green leaves can easily be mistaken for lavender at a glance. Itâs also drought-tolerant and thrives with minimal care.
- Sun: Full sun to part shade
- Height: 2â3 feet
- Zones: 3â9
8. Larkspur (Delphinium consolida)
Larkspurâs tall, spiky blossoms in shades of blue and purple make it a striking companionâor alternativeâto lavender in summer borders.
- Sun: Full sun
- Height: 2â4 feet
- Zones: 2â10 (annual)
9. Creeping Thyme (Thymus praecox)
| Botanical Name | Thymus praecox |
|---|---|
| Sun Requirements | Full sun |
| Height | 0.25 â 0.5 foot |
| Hardiness Zones | 5 â 8 |
This vining perennial forms a dense mat of tiny leaves and covers itself with lavender-pink blooms in late spring, creating a lavender-like effect along paths or between stepping stones.
10. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
One of the classic lavender substitutes, Russian sage boasts tall, wispy stems with clouds of small, lavender-blue flowers and aromatic silvery foliage. Itâs extremely drought-tolerant and thrives in hot, dry gardens.
- Sun: Full sun
- Height: 3â5 feet
- Zones: 4â9
11. Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)
This old-world herb grows upright spires of purple-blue flowers with aromatic leaves, combining lavenderâs coloring with traditional medicinal uses.
- Sun: Full sun
- Height: 1â2 feet
- Zones: 4â9
12. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
Rosemaryâs needle-like leaves and bluish flower spikes mimic lavenderâs form and fragrance in a slightly woodier packageâperfect for hedging or herb beds.
- Sun: Full sun
- Height: 2â4 feet
- Zones: 7â10
13. Spiked Speedwell (Veronica spicata)
Offering dense towers of purple, pink, or blue flowers, spiked speedwell brings the same upright accent as lavender, with a wider color palette.
- Sun: Full sun
- Height: 1â3 feet
- Zones: 3â8
14. Germander (Teucrium chamaedrys)
Germander is a low shrub with small, lavender-pink blooms and glossy green foliage. Itâs often used for edging and knot gardens where lavender might struggle.
- Sun: Full sun
- Height: 1â1.5 feet
- Zones: 5â9
15. Bluebeard (Caryopteris x clandonensis)
Late-summer blue flowers and aromatic foliage make bluebeard a striking shrub for hedges or borders. Bees and butterflies love it, too.
- Sun: Full sun to part shade
- Height: 2â4 feet
- Zones: 5â9
16. Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha)
Velvety purple and white flower spikes make Mexican bush sage a showstopper. It flowers late in the season and makes a stunning companion for fall-blooming perennials.
- Sun: Full sun
- Height: 3â4 feet
- Zones: 8â10
17. Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis and relatives)
Wisteriaâs trailing, cascading bunches of pale lavender flowers provide a dramatic vertical accent, especially over arbors and pergolas.
- Sun: Full sun
- Height: Viningâcan climb 20+ feet
- Zones: 5â9
18. False Indigo (Baptisia australis)
This native perennial produces upright spikes of deep indigo-blue blooms, with blue-green leaves and a fountain-like growth habit.
- Sun: Full sun
- Height: 3â4 feet
- Zones: 3â9
19. Lavender Cotton (Santolina chamaecyparissus)
Compact mounds of silvery foliage and small, button-like yellow blooms characterize lavender cotton. While its flowers differ, its foliage and growth resemble lavender, and it’s equally drought-resistant.
- Sun: Full sun
- Height: 1â2 feet
- Zones: 6â9
20. Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum)
Clouds of soft, lavender-blue flowers cluster atop leafy stems, providing a billowy alternative for pollinator gardens and moist soils.
- Sun: Full sun to part shade
- Height: 1â3 feet
- Zones: 5â9
21. Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)
Clary sageâs tall spikes of showy pinkish or lavender-blue bracts and aromatic leaves offer both ornamental and herbal value. Itâs popular in cottage and pollinator gardens.
- Sun: Full sun
- Height: 2â4 feet
- Zones: 5â9
Caring for Lavender Look-Alikes
While many lavender substitutes thrive in the same sunny, well-drained conditions as true lavender, always check requirements for each plant. Here are some general care tips:
- Soil: Most prefer neutral to slightly alkaline, well-drained soils. Amend clay with sand or gravel as needed.
- Water: Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings, especially for plants with Mediterranean origins.
- Pruning: Lightly prune after flowering to encourage bushy growth and remove spent flowers.
- Spacing: Give each plant ample space for air circulation, reducing disease risk.
- Pest Resistance: Many have fragrant foliage that repels pests and attracts pollinators.
How to Choose Lavender Alternatives
To find your perfect substitution, consider:
- Climate Adjustability: Some look-alikes tolerate more cold, heat, or humidity than lavender.
- Bloom Season: Mix early, mid, and late bloomers for continuous color.
- Flower Color: While purple is classic, explore white, pink, or blue options for variety.
- Growth Habit: Choose low-growing types for borders and groundcovers, or tall varieties for background interest.
- Purpose: Culinary, ornamental, pollinator-friendly, or fragrant foliage? Some do it all!
Comparison Table: Lavender vs. Top Look-Alikes
| Plant | Flower Color | Height | Zones | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) | Purple | 1â3 ft | 5â9 | Aromatic, drought-tolerant, culinary |
| Russian Sage | Lavender-blue | 3â5 ft | 4â9 | Silvery foliage, heat- and drought-tolerant |
| Mealycup Sage | Blue | 1.5â3 ft | 8â10 | Annual in cool zones, pollinator magnet |
| Catnip | Pale purple | 2â3 ft | 3â9 | Drought-tolerant, aromatic, repels pests |
| Creeping Thyme | Lavender-pink | 0.25â0.5 ft | 5â8 | Excellent groundcover, edible |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why would I choose a lavender look-alike over true lavender?
A: Lavender look-alikes often provide greater climate versatility, unique flower colors, or extended bloom periods, making them excellent choices for regions where true lavender may not thrive or when you want to diversify your garden palette.
Q: Which lavender alternative attracts pollinators the most?
A: Russian sage, mealycup sage, anise hyssop, and bluebeard are particularly renowned for attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Q: Can I use lavender look-alikes for culinary purposes?
A: Yes, some lavender alternatives such as English thyme, basil, rosemary, and sage are popular culinary herbs. Always verify edibility before using any plant in cooking.
Q: Are these look-alikes as fragrant as true lavender?
A: While several alternatives offer aromatic foliage (e.g., rosemary, anise hyssop, sage), the scent profile may differ from classic lavender. Try different varieties to discover your favorites.
Q: Which look-alike is best for ground cover?
A: Creeping thyme is especially effective as a low-growing, spreading groundcover with attractive blooms and pleasant fragrance.
Conclusion
Lavenderâs timeless beauty and aroma inspire countless gardeners, but its look can be recreated with an exciting range of other plants. Whether you need a tough groundcover, a pollinator magnet, or an aromatic accent, these 21 lavender look-alikes offer boundless opportunities to enhance your landscape. Try mixing and matching several options in your garden beds, borders, and containers for a tapestry of color, fragrance, and ecological value all season long.
References
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